"Pretty sure this place would throw them for a loop as well," he promises; it had been one of those dying professions in the zones. Nobody was going to pay ration cards to talk about their problems, when most of their problems were the ration system and an empty stomach.

Hunger and boredom. They're getting those basics covered enough to be here, doing this.

"Maybe it doesn't always have to be a group," he says. "Or a meeting. Got folks signed up for all kinds of jobs, maybe a handful volunteering to hear people out could cover the gaps. Between meetings and for people who don't do groups."